Morenci heads to Benson on Thursday
By Raymundo Frasquillo
DUNCAN – The Richard Garcia-coached Baboquivari Warriors will step onto Packer Field on Friday, Sept. 26. It is for Duncan’s 23rd homecoming in the 8-man format since switching during 2003. The Warriors have been guests once before on the same occasion, leaving Duncan with a 26-70 loss (Oct. 12, 2018).
The Wildkats have faced 13 different opponents and are 14-7 overall (2003-24) with an average score of 38-27 (790-559) per game or an 11-point margin for homecoming. Duncan is 4-0 versus Saint David, 3-0 vs. Fort Thomas, 1-0 vs. Anthem Prep, Baboquivari, Phoenix Veritas Prep, Superior, and Tempe Prep, as well as 2-1 vs. Elfrida Valley Union.
Teams leaving with wins once include Clifton, Gilbert Christian, Pima, and Scottsdale Salt River. The Kearny Ray Bearcats left with two wins, and the 2021 contest was not played. The largest margin was 46 points over Saint David (66-20, Oct. 13, 2017), and the largest deficit was 52 points to Pima (14-66, Sept. 26, 2008).
Duncan is 6-2 overall and 5-2 in region play versus Baboquivari since 2016, with wins of 54-28 (Sept. 2, 2016), 44-0 (Oct. 6, 2017), 70-26 (Oct. 12, 2018), 34-14 (Oct. 18, 2019), 32-28 (Sept. 24, 2021), and 44-32 (Sept. 23, 2022). The Warriors prevailed 42-32 (Sept. 22, 2023) and 40-28 (Sept. 27, 2024).
Kick-off is 7 p.m.
BABOQUIVARI Warriors
Baboquivari (0-5 overall, 0-3 region) has averaged a score of 2-51 (12-253) per game or a 49-point deficit through five games. The Warriors have fallen to Fort Thomas (0-38, Aug. 22), Saint David (0-59, Aug. 29), Bullhead City Mohave Accelerated (6-56, Sept. 6), Superior (6-48, Sept. 12), and Elfrida Valley Union (0-52, Sept. 19).
The Richard Garcia-coached Warriors have a 21-member roster with five seniors, five juniors, three sophomores, and eight freshmen. The seniors include Kason Garcia (12), Johnny Johnson (30), Avery Leon (60), Lyle Pablo (74), and Kolukeo Valesco (10); juniors Mason Ackerman (21), Siwdag Garcia (34), Kalim Hendricks (73), Gary Lavier (70), and Angel Martinez (1); sophomores Adam Bustamante (81), Josh Frank (35), and Jamie Marks (22); and freshmen Amario Antone (63), Justin Antone (13), Ayden Hendricks (2), David Lopez (32), Trevor Robles (64), Dylan Santos (71), Agaalofa Tautolo (42), and Ernesto Vega (3).
Baboquivari visits Duncan (Sept. 26) and hosts Glendale Desert Heights Prep (Oct. 3) and San Manuel (Oct. 17).
The Warriors are 6-12 overall, 6-9 region, 0-1 state, and 4-6 at home under Coach Garcia (2023-25).
Baboquivari is competing in the 5-team 1A South Region with the Duncan Wildkats, the Elfrida Valley Union Blue Devils, the Fort Thomas Apaches, and the Saint David Tigers.
DUNCAN Wildkats
Duncan (0-5 overall, 0-3 region) is averaging a score of 33-54 (12-268) per game or a 21-point deficit through five games. The Wildkats topped Fort Thomas (70-28, Aug. 29) and Dishchii’bikoh (72-14, Sept. 19) as well as fell to New Mexico Lordsburg (16-58, Aug. 22), Elfrida Valley Union (6-52, Sept. 5), and Saint David (0-59, Sept. 12).
The Dan Coats-coached Wildkats host the Baboquivari Warriors (Sept. 26) and the Ray Bearcats (Oct. 3), and visit the San Manuel Miners (Oct. 10) and the Mayer Wildcats (Oct. 17).
Duncan lists a 16-man roster with six seniors, five juniors, three sophomores, and two freshmen. The seniors include Ky Coats (67), Joseph Contreras (52), Joshua Free (65), Taygan Jensen (5), Pablo Ruiz (7), and Lucas Soohy (76); juniors Jarren Butler (55), Conner Free (11), Billy Johnson (63), Dayton Penry (1), and Aaron Zamora (80); sophomores Mark Bejarano (10), Karson Lacey (4), and Drake Waters (36); and freshmen Max Barker (35) and Cade Stephens (37).
The Wildkats are 3-13 overall, 4-12 region, and 3-7 at home under Coach Coats.
Duncan is competing in the 5-team 1A South Region with the Elfrida Valley Union Blue Devils, the Fort Thomas Apaches, the Saint David Tigers, and the Sells Baboquivari Warriors.
1A South Region
Region standings as of Sept. 20 had Saint David (5-0 overall, 3-0 region), Elfrida Valley Union (3-2, 2-1), Fort Thomas (1-4, 1-1), Duncan (2-3, 1-2), and Sells Baboquivari (0-5, 0-3).
To date, region pairings have Saint David over Valley Union (58-0, Aug. 22), Baboquivari (59-0, Aug. 29), and Duncan (59-0, Sept. 12); Valley Union over Duncan (52-6, Sept. 5) and Baboquivari (52-0, Sept. 19); and Duncan over Fort Thomas (70-28, Aug. 29).
Remaining region pairings include Baboquivari at Duncan (Sept. 26), Fort Thomas at Valley Union (Oct. 3), and Saint David at Fort Thomas (Oct. 10),
This week, the 8-man 1A South Region has Saint David (5-0) hosts 1A East Region Superior (4-1), Valley Union (3-2) has a bye, Fort Thomas (1-4) hosting 1A East Region Ray (4-1), and Duncan (2-3) hosting Baboquivari (0-5).
MORENCI vs. BENSON
The Chris Rasmussen-coached 2A South 2 Region Benson Bobcats (3-2) host the Frankie Gonzalez-coached 2A East Region Morenci Wildcats (3-2) on Thursday, Sept. 25. Morenci leads the 27-game series 19-18 with an average score per game of 20-20 (732-751) or a tie since 1982, has prevailed in the two most recent pairings, 35-0 (Sept. 1, 2023) in Benson and 35-25 (Sept. 6, 2024) in Lawson Stadium, and Benson is 11-9 at home.
Kick-off on the Jerry P. Lee Athletic Complex pairing has a 7 p.m.
BENSON Bobcats
The Bobcats had an official student enrollment count of 460 for the 2024-25 school year.
Benson is 3-2 overall with an average score per game of 29-21 (145-106) or an 8-point margin after five games. The Cochise County boys defeated Bisbee (34-0, Aug. 22), Tombstone (61-14, Sept. 5), and Tanque Verde (30-21, Sept. 12) plus fell to Phoenix Christian (14-42 Aug. 29) and Phoenix Veritas Prep (6-29, Sept. 19).
The Bobcats host Morenci (Sept. 25), visit Eloy Santa Cruz (Oct. 3), host Tucson Desert Christian (Oct. 10), and visit Willcox (Oct. 17).
Benson lists a 40-member roster with 11 seniors, 14 juniors, 11 sophomores, and four freshmen. The seniors include Leif Allred (72), Benjamin Blaylock (34), Adrian Baeuerlen (50), Rawley Evans (4), Dawson Judd (9), Ely Little (74), Kane Murray (76), Ruben Navarro (24), Abel Osuna (22), Hunter Rogers (7), and Andrew Workman (2); juniors Jesus Canez-Quezada (81), Kolttin Deskins (28), Steven Deskins (5), Kenton Faught (51), Abraham Figueroa (44), Ty Herrera (77), Tyson Kilpatrick (11), Rene Lorta (21), Gage Murray (65), Julian Ramos (84), Jason Santo (13), Jake Scouten (40), Wayne Stark (1), and Johnny Villegas (3); sophomores Kayden Arnold (88), Cohen Barney (12), Logan Beeler (75), Aiden Cargile (80), Bryon Judd (6), Tatum Kilpatrick (87), Rudy Miranda (60), Rex Reynolds (54), Mason Stanley (63), Broden Tedford (32), and Gaige Trejo (26); and freshmen Jacob Lopshire (55), Elijah Martinez (43), Kian Montijo (36), and Jacob Walker (52).
The Bobcats are competing in the 4-member 2A South 2 Region with the Eloy Santa Cruz Dust Devils, the Tucson Desert Christian Eagles (357), and the Willcox Cowboys.
MORENCI Wildcats
The Wildcats (3-2 overall, 1-0 region) are averaging a score of 24-15 (119-76) per game or a 9-point margin after five games. The Greenlee County boys defeated Safford (20-14, Aug. 22), Bisbee (26-0, Sept. 12), and Globe (43-15, Sept. 19), plus fell to Tucson Tanque Verde (16-24, Aug. 29) and Willcox (14-23, Sept. 5).
Morenci lists a 39-member roster with 13 seniors, five juniors, 15 sophomores, and six freshmen. Seniors include Julian Aragon (13), Zach Biggs (66), Michael Chavez (50), Dean Chee (65), Isaiah Cook (77), Jaymz Guzzo (4), Mathew Hernandez (0), Derick Lytle (9), Andre McCauley (12), Richard Rodriguez (7), Anthony Rogers (11), Anthony Roybal (56), and Kiano Torres (3); juniors Joel Baca (28), Mason Clark (17), Camron Dodson (55), Jesse Strickland (70), and Heston Winters (88); sophomores Jacob Bracamonte (21), Brennen Burkhead (5), Jeremya Cruz (8), James Davis (59), Sonny Gobert (33), Luz Hernandez (54), Eli Laney (1), David Licano (78), Braxton Merrill (18), Deegan Miller (10), Zane Randle (72), Joseph Rodriguez (23), Hunter Roumell (68), Joshwa Sandoval (52), and Loghan Szymanski (75); and freshmen Kyson Abril (6), Andres Aguilera (51), Bryden Herrera (74), Ceejay Madrid (60), Damian Paz (40), and Keston Armstrong (2).
Morenci visits Benson (Sept. 26), hosts Miami (Oct. 3), and visits Pima (Oct. 10) and Saint Johns (Oct. 17).
The Wildcats (367) are competing in the 5-member 2A East Region with the Globe Tigers (514), the Miami Vandals (287), the Pima Roughriders (357), and the Saint Johns Redskins (337).
2A East Region Standings
Region standings as of Sept. 20 were Saint Johns (4-1 overall, 1-0 region), Morenci (3-2, 1-0), Globe (3-2, 1-1), Miami (2-3, 0-1), and Pima (1-4, 0-1).
To date in region play, Globe defeated Miami (45-8, Sept. 12), Saint Johns defeated Pima (16-12, Sept. 19), and Morenci defeated Globe (43-12, Sept. 19).
This week in the 2A East Region, Saint Johns (4-1) hosts Globe (3-2), Morenci (3-2) visits Benson (3-2), and Miami (2-3) hosts Pima (1-4).
2A South 1 Region Standings
Region standing as of Sept. 20 were Tucson Tanque Verde (3-2 overall, 1-0 region), Bisbee (2-3, 1-0), Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (2-3, 0-1), Tombstone (0-4, 0-0), and Tucson Santa Rita (0-5, 0-1).
The region pairings held to date had Tanque Verde over Palo Verde Magnet (69-0, Sept. 5) and Bisbee over Santa Rita (54-6, Sept. 19).
This week in the 2A South Region 1, Tanque Verde (3-2) hosts Santa Rita (0-5), Bisbee (2-3) hosts 2A Metro 1 Region Chandler Prep (3-2), and Palo Verde Magnet (2-3) hosts Tombstone (0-4).
2A South 2 Region Standings
Region standings as of Sept. 20 were Willcox (4-1 overall, 0-0 region), Benson (3-2, 0-0), Tucson Desert Christian (3-2, 0-0), and Eloy Santa Cruz (3-2, 0-0).
This week in the 2A South 2 Region, Willcox (4-1) hosts 2A Metro 2 Region Scottsdale Prep (2-3), Benson (3-2) hosts 2A South Region Morenci (3-2), Desert Christian (3-2) hosts 2A Metro 2 Region Phoenix Madison Highland Prep (0-4), and Santa Cruz (3-2) hosts 2A Metro 2 Region Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (4-1).
3A East Region Standings
Region standing as of Sept. 20 were Tucson Push Ridge Christian (5-0 overall, 2-0 region), Thatcher (4-1, 1-0), Tucson Sabino (3-2, 2-0), Coolidge (3-2, 1-1), Safford (1-4, 0-1), Florence (1-4, 0-2), and San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills (0-5, 0-2).
To date in region contests, Pusch Ridge defeated San Tan Foothills (53-12, Aug. 23), Thatcher defeated Florence (21-18, Sept. 12), Sabino defeated (Coolidge 60-12, Sept. 12) and San Tan Foothills (67-51, Sept. 18), and Coolidge defeated Safford (28-14, Sept. 18).
This week in 3A South Region pairings, Pusch Ridge (5-0) visits Thatcher (3-1), Sabino (3-2) visits 4A Kino Region Tucson Sahuaro (3-1), Coolidge (3-2) visits Florence (1-4), Safford (1-4) hosts San Tan Foothills (0-5).
Duncan – 72, Dishchii’bikoh – 14
The teams both turned the ball over on their initial possessions; the visitors on a first-down fumble from 85 yards away, and the hosts on a first-down fumble at their own nine.
Dishchii’bikoh yielded the ball on its second possession on downs, on three punts, on three fumbles, and on a bad snap on 4th-and-10.
Meanwhile, Duncan scored on each of the next eight times touching the ball during the first half, plus twice more in the second half, before an interception halted the process. The Wildkats had a 56-0 advantage with a running clock, having netted 251 yards in 10 plays plus a 65-yard punt return compared to 34 yards during 27 plays by the visitors in the first half.
After an interception during their initial second-half possession, the freshmen-laden visitors scored twice to leave with points on the scoreboard.
On the evening, Duncan officially totaled 285 yards, averaging 9.3 (8-74) yards rushing and 35.2 (6-211) yards passing.
Morenci – 43, Globe – 15
The visiting Wildcats never trailed in the region contest, leading 8-0 following the opening quarter, 14-12 at halftime, and 22-15 heading into the fourth quarter.
For the game, Morenci’s offensive line, senior tight end Richard Rodriguez, senior tackle Isaiah Cook, sophomore guard James Davis, senior center Michael Chavez, senior guard Dean Chee, and senior tackle Zachary Biggs, allowed 511 offensive yards, with averages of 8.7 (49-424) yards rushing and 21.8 (4-87) yards passing; and scored five times running, once with a reception, as well as on a conversion kick, a conversion run, and on three conversion passes.
The total offensive yardage surpassed four previous games, the 314 yards against Safford (Aug. 22) with averages of 5.9 (51-303) yards rushing and 11.0 (1-1) yards passing; the 204 yards against Tanque Verde (Aug. 29) with averages of 5.0 (41-204) yards rushing and 0-4 passing; the 272 yards against Willcox (Sept. 5) with averages of 3.7 (46-170) yards rushing and 25.5 (4-102) yards passing; and the 246 yards against Bisbee (Sept. 12) with averages of 7.3 (22-161) yards rushing and 28.3 (3-85) yards passing.
Crossing the Harbison Field goal line were senior Julien Aragon thrice on runs of two, seven, and 24 yards; senior Anthony Rogers on a 14-yard run; sophomore Deegan Miller on a 3-yard run; and senior Derick Lytle on a 5-yard reception from Miller.
Also helping advance the ball but not scoring were senior Aundre McCauley, junior Joel Baca, and sophomore Jeremya Cruz.
A 3-man defensive front of Cook, Davis, and Chee helped limit host Globe to 148 total offensive yards, averaging 2.2 (21-46) yards rushing and 11.3 (11-124) yards passing. The Tigers scored on a pair of receptions, for 14 and 43 yards, plus a 28-yard field goal, and completed 11-23 passes with an interception.
Three quarterback sacks were recorded as Cook had one for a 10-yard loss, sophomore linebacker Joseph Rodriguez had one for no gain, and linebacker Rogers had one for a 4-yard loss. Senior cornerback Jaymz Guzzo returned an interception 13 yards.
